Press Release

NMPA Announces Results of 2007 Election of Board of Directors
John Rudolph of Bug Music Named to Board
NMPA Unveils Gold & Platinum Award Partnership Program with RIAA
Washington, DC - National Music Publishers’ Association President and CEO David M. Israelite announced today the results of the biennial election of the organization’s Board of Directors. The majority of incumbents were re-elected to the Board, and they are joined by one new member, John Rudolph of Bug Music.

The election results were finalized at the NMPA’s Annual Meeting, held last week at Le Parker Meridien in New York City. In addition, Israelite unveiled a new partnership program with the Recording Industry Association of America to recognize the contributions of songwriters of gold and platinum records.

The other members of the NMPA Board are:  Martin Bandier, Sony/ATV Music Publishing; Freddy Bienstock, Carlin America, Inc.; Helene Blue, Anna Teresa Music; Arnold Broido, Theodore Presser Co.; Lionel Conway, Stage Three Music; Bob Doyle, Major Bob Music; John Eastman, MPL Communications, Inc.; Roger Faxon, EMI Music Publishing; David Johnson, Warner/Chappell; Dean Kay, Demi Music Corp.; Maxyne Lang, Williamson Music; Leeds Levy, One Four Three Music; Evan Medow, Windswept Pacific Holdings LLC; Ralph Peer, peermusic; David Renzer, Universal Music Publishing; and Irwin Z. Robinson, Famous Music Publishing.

Board members are all active U.S. music publishers. They serve two-year terms.

Rudolph took on leadership of Bug Music in July 2006. Before that, he founded and served as the CEO of Music Analytics, a strategic advisor to music publishers and record companies. With an early background in business strategy and finance, Rudolph also has developed a deep understanding of technology, music publishing and copyright law issues.

“John Rudolph is a welcome addition to our board,” said Irwin Z. Robinson, Chairman of the NMPA Board of Directors. “We will all benefit from his considerable knowledge of the key issues pertaining to our industry. We are thrilled to have him aboard, along with all our other distinguished board members.”

“The NMPA is the lifeblood at the heart of the copyrights issues affecting songwriters and publishers,” said Rudolph. “In this year of significant rate-setting and daily attacks on the rights of copyright creators and owners, the NMPA has never been more important.”
In addition to the announcement of the new board membership, Israelite and RIAA Chairman and CEO Mitch Bainwol also unveiled at the Annual Meeting a new partnership program allowing songwriters to receive some much-deserved recognition.

The NMPA Gold and Platinum Composition Award will celebrate the contributions of songwriters and composers of singles that have been certified by RIAA as Gold & Platinum.

“It’s about time we gave some extra acknowledgement to our hardworking songwriters who make a significant contribution to the world of music,” Israelite said. “This new program is also part of a larger partnership between record labels and publishers. While we may not agree on all issues, we can certainly agree that the outstanding contributions of those who create music should be recognized and celebrated.”

The NMPA Gold and Platinum Award program is expected to begin in the fall of this year.


About the NMPA

The National Music Publishers' Association is committed to promoting and advancing the interests of music publishers and their songwriting partners.  As the trade association for the music publishing industry, NMPA's goal is to foster a business climate that allows its members to thrive creatively and financially.  Founded in 1917, NMPA battles for domestic and global protection of copyrights.